Pepe Mel insists he already knows the damage Christian Benteke could potentially do to his West Brom side after revealing he previously tried to sign the Aston Villa striker.

The Baggies' new Spanish coach admits he is a long-term admirer of Benteke - and even asked Real Betis to sign him when he was in charge there in 2012.

But Villa eventually won the race for the Belgium international, shelling out £7m to Genk - and Benteke repaid them with 23 goals last term.

After a dip in form, the 23-year-old is back among the goals after scoring in back-to-back games against Arsenal and Liverpool - and Mel is out to ensure he is a marked man in Wednesday night's Midlands derby.

“I actually asked Real Betis to buy Benteke, but he was very expensive! Benteke is a well known player," he said. “We played with a system using wingers and we needed someone in the middle to put the ball in the back of the net - Benteke plays this role very well.”

Nicolas Anelka is, according to Mel, still “99% certain” to be involved as he fights an FA disciplinary charge over his controversial use of the quenelle gesture - which critics argue is anti-Semitic - to celebrate a goal against West Ham last month.

Anelka faces a minimum five-match ban, but can play for Albion until his hearing, which is set for the end of February.

Villa boss Paul Lambert said: “You never condone racism in any shape or form but I don’t want to get into it. I’m here to talk about football, I’m not a politician and I don’t pretend to be one.

“He has been at some fabulous clubs, won the biggest things going and has been terrific player. if you are talking about football he has been terrific.”

Meanwhile, Lambert has hit out at Albion’s decision to axe compatriot Steve Clarke in December, just months after he steered them to a record eighth-placed Premier League finish last term.

He said: “I thought Stevie was doing really well there, I really did. I thought he was doing a great job. West Brom maybe have their way of doing things but I never expected him to leave.

“It could be harder against a new manager. Yet regardless of who is in charge a derby game will take care of itself and the atmosphere will lift everybody.

“Pepe has been involved in big games. Anyone will tell you in whatever level you are playing at, if you have a local rival, you have the same feeling and desire to try to win it.”

No side has scored fewer home goals in the Premier League than Villa’s eight, and Lambert will again be without Gabby Agbonlahor against West Brom.

But he is not worried now that he has on-loan Wigan striker Grant Holt adding to the attacking threat of Benteke and Andi Weimann - who both scored in Villa's last match, an impressive 2-2 draw at Liverpool .

Lambert said: “The goal-scoring thing’s never really been a worry. We have to rectify it at home but away from home we always look as if we can score. “At home has been the problem for us but we’ll take the performance from last week into this one.”